Liquid-fuel burner



Jan. 1, 1929. v 1,697,254

H. M. WEBSTER LIQUID FUEL BURNER Filed Oct. 2, 1922 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 E Lznior'k v W-zdy Jan. 1, 1929. 1,697,254

H. M. WEBSTER LIQUID FUEL BURNER Filed 001;.2. 1922 Y .s Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 1, 1929. 1,697,254

H. M. WEBSTER LIQUID FUEL BURNER Filed 061;. 2, 1922 I S sheets-sheet 5 Patented Jan. 1 1929.

T UNITED STATES PATENTTiOFFIC-E.

nowan'n M. wnns rnn, or onIcAoo. ILLINOIS, assrenbn TO THE YonER-Momus qourm, or CLEVELAND, 01110, A CORPORATION or 01110.

- LIQUID-FUEL BURNER.

Application fl1ed0ctober-2, 1922. Serial No. 591,684.

g This invention relates to liquid fuel burners andits object is to obtain more perfect combustion and greaterefliciency than has been customary with burners of this class now in general use by providing means of comparatively simple construction for first vaporizing the fuel mechanically andthen asifying it by introducing air and applying fieat whereby a highly combustible mixture '10 is obtained which will burn with the highest efliciency and without carboniz ng the.

burner.

Another ob'ect of the invention is to provide means or finel dividing the liquid fuel supply by centri igal action and thereby putting it into a most-favorable condition for gasifying at the burner.

And further objects of the invention are to provide means ,for properlyfeeding the liquid fuel tot-he burner; for cooling the operating motor; for preventing heat at the burner from affecting the motor or traveling" down to the supply tank; for distributing the liquid fuel centri'fugally and supplying air within the burner from below and from above for vaporizing or gasifying the fuel and promoting combustion; for distributing the gasified fuel through the burner in a finely divided form to promote combustion;

and to return condensed fuel from within the burner to the supply tank.

In the accompanying drawings have illustrated a selected embodiment of the invention which I have tested satisfactorily and referring thereto- Fig. 1 is a central sectional view.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of burner on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2* illustrates another form of slit.. Fi 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view' on the line -1-4 of Fig. 1.

the

line 55 of Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7 are horizontal sectional views on the lines 6-6 and 7 7 respectively of Fig. 1. Fig. Sis a bottom ugal pump casing. a 'Referrin to the drawings 10 is an electric motor whic is mounted upon a suitable su port 11 on the top of a supply tank 12, and.

this motor operates the vertical shaft13 of the liquid fuel from the pump cylinder an an plan view of the centrif forming its rotor which projects into the water through the pipe42 an stufiing box 14, a chamber 15' and a stufiing box 16 and carries a centrifugal pump 17 in a pump cylinder 18 having an openin 19 in 1 its bottom. This opening is locate adjacent the bottom of the supply tank so that the pump cylinder may be kept supplied with liquid fuel from the supply in the tank 12; and this supply is maintained at a predetermined level by a float valve 20 (Fig. 5) within the tank and controlling the inlet of liquid fuel through the pipe 21 from a storage tank. A. passage.22 connects the pump cylinder with the chamber 15 and a valve 23 is arranged to be adjusted to control the flow through the passage. This control valve is secured :in adjustedv position by a lock.

screw 24. The shaft 13 has a form a communication between the chamber 15 and said hollow portion .which is connected by. a longitudinal passage 27 with the hollow portion 28 at the upper end of-the shaft. The pump forces oil through thehollow shaft. A plug 29 is located within the hollow portion at the upper end of the shaft and above the lower end of said hollow portion. The lower end of the plug is provided with a plurality of longitudinal grooves 30 beneath the head at the outer edge thereof by the lugs, and this ring receives liquid fuel or gas from a suitable source through the Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on the hollow portion 25 near its lower end and a plurality. of ports 26 pipe- 36'. A drain pipe 38 is connected with v lar depression 39 in'the head and with t e top' of the tank at 38". to deliver back into the tankany unconsumed fuel that collects in the head.

A fan 40 iscarried by theshaft 13. between the motor and the supply tank to keep the N motor cool. A cooling member in the form of a hollow dome or water jacket 41 is su portedfromthe supply tank 7 tween t e head and the motor and is sup liedwith cold has an outlet This cooling member prevents the heat of the burner from being communicated to the motor and keeps the motor cool.

- A fan 44 is mounted on the shaft 13 between the motor and the head preferably; .within a downward contracted extension 45 to control the air inlet to the head from thefan 44.

A similar fan 47 is mounted on the shaft 13 within the upper'contracted extension 48 of the burner head which is connected with an air inlet, 48. A tapered collar 49 is ad'ustably mounted on the'shaft 13 below the an 47 to control the air inlet to. the head from the fan 47 I i The above described arrangement makes possible an exceedingly compact and eflicient burner. The hollow shaft isused not only as a pipe to convey oil froma source of sup- 'ply to the burner head but it is used to develop the power which forces oil ,throu h itself. This function is made possible hy the fact that the hollow shaft forms the rotorof the motor .and therefore may be used to operate the pump which forces oil through the shaft. The shaft is further employed to operate other parts of the mechanism, such as, the centrifugal distributor and the fans.

.My invention provides anapparatus of simple construction which a can be manu-y One of the especially important features of the invention is the centrifugal distributor whereby the liquid fuel is first divided into a comparatively thin film between the spaced discs or plates and is thrown out by these discs or plates centrifugally and at the same time is thoroughly mixed with the air flowing in at the bottom and at. thetop of the head as induced by fans 44 and 47 The .result of the centrifugal treatment of the liquid fuel is to finely sub-divide it so that it will very easily mix with the inflowing air and so will become thoroughl mixed with air inside the head and will b through the slits 35 of the burner head and ignited outside the head. These slits .are rearwardly inclined in the direction of revolution of the distributor so that the gasified fuel will be discharged against the burner wall and findits way through the .slits and not be thrown directly .through the slits which might happen if the slits are radially e discharged disposed. of'providing a plurality of vertically disposed slits 35"]: may provide the burner with one or more inclined peripheral slits as shown at 35" in Fig.2. My theory of the action which takes place in vaporizing and gasifying the liquid fuel v in the burner is substantially as follows I The distributor first divides the liquid fuel into a plurality of thin films and then discharges it under considerable pressure laterally in the head and against the outer wall thereof. The outer wall. of the head is heated by the pilot light and, of course, becomes more highly heated when the burner is actively working. This vaporized fuel is finely divided in the head and mixed with the inflowing air from the fans 44 and 47. 4

In other words, the combined action of the centrifugal distributor, and the inflowing currents of air in the presence of heat,

vaporizes and gasifies the fuel within the confines of thehead so that it issues through the slits thereof in the form of a highly vol-- atile gas and is then ignited, .outside the head. prefer .to provide inclined slits in the head for the passage of the gas because I find it produces what I consider to be a more satisfactory flame for heatingpun' poses and I also believe that the retardation of the flow by reason of the narrowness and inclination of the slits tends to promote the gasifying action. The head being substantially closed p'ermitsthorough mixingof the air andv fuel before it becomes ignited.

I have, found in practice that keroseneand fuel oil can be used inniy apparatus satisfactorily, that the apparatus will work 1 without objectionable odor and practically free from carbonization. Tests of the apparatus have denionstrated that a high degree of heat can be quickly produced with a consumption of very little fuel and that the naces of all kinds andin factory and other heating plants and I contemplate building use of the apparatus will be economical} The apparatus can-be used in domestic fur the burner in sizes suitable for different extinguished or the fuel is fed too fast. The

vertical slits 35 are positioned at an angle from the head to the tank is proto the direction ofrotation of the distribu tor and this prevents. the liquid 'fuel from being thrown out through .the slits by the distributor should the fuel-not be properly gasified because of a lack ofsuflicie'nt or feeding an excess of fuel.

I have shown my invention as it is embodied in a complete working burner which heat I I have operated many times and thoroughly I tested andwhich has proven to be entirely satisfactory; but I am aware that changes maybe madein the form, construction and arrangement of parts to adapt the burner for various application and for other purposes and I reserve the right to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims. f

I' claim L r 1. In a liquid fuel burner, the combination of a hollow burner head having a wall provided with a plurality of relatively small spaced openings therein, means for heating said wall, means for admitting fuel to the head, means for admitting air to the head,

and means within the head for centrifugally distributing the fuel against said wall, said heated wall acting to gasify the fuel distributed against it within the head and said openings permitting the escape of said gasified fuel from the head.

2. In a liquid fuel burner, the hombination of a hollow burner head having a wall provided with a plurality of relatively narrow I slits spaced apart therein, means for-heating said wall, means for admitting fuel to thehead, means for admitting air to the head, and means within the head for centrifugally distributing the fuel against said wall,

' gasified fuel from-the head. r

said heated wall acting to gasify the fuel distributed against it within the head and said slits permitting the escape of said gasified fuel from the head.

3. In a liquid fuel burner, the combination ofa hollow burner head, .means for admitting fuelto the .head, means for. admitting air to the head, means within the 0 head for centrifugally distributing the fuel,

said head comprising a .wall disposed in the path of the distributed fuel to form a'baffle therefor and said wall having a plurality of relatively small spaced openings therein, and means for heating said wall, said heated wall acting to gasify the fuel distributed against it within the head and said openings permitting the escape of said 4. In' a liquid fuel burner; the combination of a hollow burner head, a centrifugal distributor within the head,means.for're- 'volving said distributor, and means for conveying the fuel to the distributor, said burner having a plurality of slits in its wall opposite the distributor I and inclined rearwardly in the direction of revolution of the distributor. Y

5. In'a liquid fuel burner, the combination of the hollowburner head, 'means for admitting fuel to the head, means for admitting air to the head, means within'the head for .centrifugally distributing the fuel, said head comprising a wall disposed in the path of the distributed fuel to form a baflle there for and said wall having a plurality of relatively small spaced openings therein, and means located outside of the burner and closed burner head, means I e fuel "to the head, means means for conveying the fuel to the head,.

mean for centrifugally distributing the fuel in the head, a shaft passing through the head, means on the shaft above and below. the head for producing show of air into the head at the top and at the bottom there;

of, and means for revolving the shaft.

8. In a liquid fuel burner, the 'combination of a burner head .having an opening I at the top and bottom thereof, a'hollow shaft projecting through the burner, a distributor mounted on the shaft within the V burners and comprising a plurality of spaced plates, ports forming communication between the spaces between the plates and the hollow shaft, means 0 erated by the shaft for. inducing a flow o f the fuel thereto to the ports and means on the shaft above and below the burner operated by shaft for inducing the flow of air into the burner.

9. In a liquid fuel burner, the combination of a burner head, a vertical shaft enterin the burner head, a distributor onthe sha t 2 .Within the head for centrifugally distributing the' fuel, means for conveying the fuel to the distributor, an electric-motor on said shaft, and a domed water jacket interposed between/the motor and the burnerfor pro tecting the former against the heat'of the latter. 10, In a liquid fuel burner, the combination of a hollow burner head having a wall i p provided with a plurality of relatively spaced openings therein, means within the head for 'centrifu ally, distributing the fuel against said wa means for admitting fuel to the head, means for admitting air to the head above and below the centrifugal distributor and means for heating said wall, said heated wall acting to gasify the fuel distributed against it within the head and said openings .rmitti m the cad;

the escape of said gasified fuel 11. In a liquid fuel burner, the combine tionfofa hollow burner head, a centrifugal 'distributorarran'ged within the head and comprising a plurality of "spaced disks means for admitting fuel to the spaces be tween the disk s, meansfor admitting air to thefhead above and below the distributor.

20 said head having a wall provided witha I 'said head comprising a wall dis path, of the distributed. fuel to therefor and said wall having a plurality of I tion of a hollow burner head, a centrifugal distributor arranged withinthe head, means for .supplying fuel to said distributor, air conduits in the head above and below said distributor for admitting air to the head, means for controlling the supply of air admitted to the head through said conduits,

plurality of relatively small spaced openings, and means for heating said wall, said heated wall acting to gasify the fuel dis tributed against it within the head and said gasified fuel mixing with the/air admitted to 'the head and said mixture escaping through said openings in the head and being ignited by said means for heating the wall.

13. In a liquid fuel burner, the combination of a burner head, a centrifugal distributor operatin in the head, a" supply tank, a

pump cylin er in the supply tank, a pump in the pump'cylinder, a hollow shaft carrying the distributor and thepump, a passage connecting the pump cylinder and the hollow shaft, an electric motor on the shaft for operating the same, and a fan mounted on the shaft between the motor and the supply tank. I

tion of a burner head having openings at its top'and bottom, a centrifugal distributor operating in the head, a supply-tank, a pump c linder, a pump 1n said cylinder, a hollow s aft -carrying said distributor andsaid pump, a passage connecting the pump cylinder and said hollow shaft, means on the shaft above and below the burner head for introducing air thereinto, and an electric motor mounted .on the shaft for operating same.

15. In a liquid fuel burner, the combination of a hollow burner head having a wall provided with a pluralityof relatively small spaced 0 enings therein, a fuel tank, a hollow sha arranged in said head and said osed -in the V A v heating said wall. 14. In a liquid fuel burner, thecombinw" I nation of a hollow burner head, a centrifugal distributor within the head, means for adtank, a motormounted on said shaft for recm a baflle volving the same, a centrifugal distributor mounted on said shaft within the head, a

pump mounted on theshaft within the tank for inducing a flow of fuel'through the shaft to the distributor, means for admitting air. to the head above and below the distributor,

and means for heating said wall, said heated wall acting to gasify the fuel distributed against it within the head and said gasified fuel mixing with the air admitted to the'.

head and sai mixture escaping through'said openings in' the head'and being ignited by 7 said means for heating the wall.

16. In a liquid fuel burner, the combiprovided with a plurality of relatively small spaced openings therein, a fuel tank, a hollow shaft arranged in said head and tank,- a centrifugal distributor mounted within the nation of a hollow burner head having a wall head: upon said shaft, a pump. on the shaft withinthetank for inducing a flow of fuel through the shaft to the distributor, means for admitting air to the head adjacent the distributor, a motor mounted on "the shaft,

for revolving the same, and coolin means interposed about the shaft between t e head and the motor.

17. In a liquid fuel burner, the combination of a hollow burner head, a centrifugal distributor within the head, means for admittin fuel to the distributor, means for admitting air to the head, said head comprising a wall disposed in the path of the "distributed fuel and spaced away from and around the distributor to form a bafile for the distributed fuel and said wall having a plurality of relatively small spaced openings therein, and means outside of the head for 18. Ina liquid fuel burner, the combimittin fuelto the distributor, means .for admitting air to the-head, said head comprising a wall disposed in the path of the distributed fuel and spaced away from and around the distributor to form a bafile for owARD M. ,W'EBSTER. 

